The Obligatory Windmill

I like windmills. This is just outside of Big Bend National Park.

Nature's Oxymoron?

Each flower head is actually composed of thousands of small ray flowers. Each yellow petal-like structure is a different flower which eventually turns into a large gossamer seed ball. Many parts of the plant can be eaten, made into a drink such as coffee or wine, or used as a medicine. Unfortunately, some people are allergic to the plant and in numerous places it is so prolific that it is seriously interferring with agriculture. As a result, its beauty can be antithetical to its benefit.

I'm bored....

I am waiting for the camera store to deliver my new camera. In the meantime, I am killing time by processing some older photos.
Although I am not particulary fond of cactus, I thought the color in these was striking.

Backroad revisited...

Upon request, we took the backroad home after picking up the girls. The road is very hilly and we often pretend like the car is having difficulty getting up the hills. The girls help by pushing and pulling in their car seats. It works...ok.

We always get up the hill, but you would have to be there to understand fully the extent of their help. There is one seemingly difficult stretch were we have to turn a corner and immediately start up a steep hill. The girls applied their muscle and, as usual, we made it. Always helpful, the youngest explained why it appeared to be a rather easy task. "It's because we are strong-willed gals".

And that wins the prize for understatement of the day.

The Hunters

Strike Fighter Squadron 201....The Hunters...F18's returning to base after a magnificient flyover. Amazing....

Inspiring

Sgt. First Class (ret), Dana Bowman was injured in a jumping accident in 1994. He was a member of the elite US Army Golden Knights parachute team. He collided in mid-air with his jumping partner. His partner was killed and Dana lost both legs at the knees, a result of colliding with his partner's outstretched arm. He returned to the army as the first double amputee to ever reenlist.

Folds of the Flag

This past Sunday I attended The Wounded Warriors Fallen Heroes ceremony in Benbrook Texas. The program is a tribute to the servicemen and women from all branches of the Military who risk their lives everyday to protect our freedoms. Many of them die; others return home to face life-altering and eternal challenges due to injuries attained while fighting for us. It was a moving experience and one I would recommend to all patriots and supporters of our great U.S. Military.

Message to President Bush from the crowd, "Stay the course!!"

Public Law 94-344, known as the Federal Flag Code, is the law of the land regarding handling and displaying the American flag. It does not include anything regarding the significance or meaning of each flag fold. There is, however, a flag folding ceremony that does just that. No one seems to know when or where the symbols for the folds of the flag originated or who wrote it. Perhaps it was a chaplain who attached the mostly Judeo-Christian religious meanings to the folds for a burial ceremony. Folding the Flag.